It can be towed but I dont fancy the 800 mile round trip, it would be better and cheaper if a courier could pick it up, its a potential purchase on e-bay (I forgot to mention that)

No problem with anyone flying their national flag atop their house, why not be patriotic and supportive of your national team? Hoorah and all that.

But hes not just anyone is he?

He's the elected prime minister of the UK, not England. So lets wait and see if he hoists any other flag during his office.

How did you sell it Tony? When and where in the highlands mate? A bit strapped for free time the now, hence racing canned.

Rorschach – no worries passing it on, just finding out how to do it, watch this space.

Q Trekster, he has loads of natural trail guidance and big days out.

Stop the beer completely Tony mate that will def cut the calorie intake and snacking, can make a big difference…

Dickbarton – followed your directions (kind of) and by chance met up with some of the Stirling bike club guys.

Great bunch they were and they showed me some of the local trails, had a blast through the university woods, then up to "quarry woods" and through the trails there.

Great fast natural singletrack, with some nice little techy sections.

Very enjoyable, thanks guys!!

I'll be back! :-)

LOL @ davidrussell :lol:

Routes around falkirk/ bathgate/ linlithgow also an option if there is much around there??

Its a bit more with a list price of £1200 but I just got a Genesis Core 50 and it is excellent as an all rounder trail/ XC bike, and its light.

Tony is it something to do with additional training, increased road riding etc. that you have been doing initially for the Keilder 100. If SPD's have been a constant feature over a number of years would it not be something that has changed recently that has started the aches and pains?

Sounds great. I was torn between a Core 50 build and a Prince Albert.

Ehrr, I have got a PA 853 as well :oops:

I had the same concerns that the Core 50 would be harsh in comparison, on a short blast I didnt notice it, could be something to do with the lightweight aspect.

Agree a Zafira is not the most exciting of cars, but my missus has one as the family car and it is hard to fault it for that purpose. YOu can get four bikes on the roof rack, through a stack of luggage in the back, have an occasional 7 seater which folds away neatly, can make it into a van, and it is not the size of a small bus like a galaxy. Its ultra reliable and handles reasonably well, Great family motors!

But as said above if you want an exciting drive and do a lot of miles it makes your other option more attractive.

Was up there friday night on a muggy evening and there was midges alright. More annoying than a problem, would recommend SSS or alternative from now on.

currently running sintered superstar pads in my slx. they work brilliantly but they are a bit noisy!

I just fitted some of these and by jings what a racket, it sound like the pads are down to the backing plate! Have only done one ride on them but if this keeps up they will be getting binned despite the cheap price.

You say it runs rough occasionally, does it feel like a "misfire"?

You could have one of your injectors on the way out, but the symptoms you describe do sound like a glow plug problem.

Other things the garage should check for a high mileage car with those symptoms: compression test the cylinders to see if there is a problem, pressure test of cooling system to check for head gasket leaks.

I would say it depends on how bad it is.

If the road is excessively covered in slurry/ mud to excess he should be making a clear up/ post signs etc.

If the mess is "reasonable" for the work going on its less clear cut.

Eldridge your wide of the mark there.

Sure there is a sector of yachting that is as you describe, however any of the owners I have crewed for have been "normal" working folks who buy the boats on a budget and maintain them themselves.

I sympathise loads after having two teeth pulled our recently, the pain before hand was mind bending (two infected teeth) but afterwards it was worth it. I found mixture of whisky, salt water mouth washes kept all the gunk out of the mouth, ice cubes on the gum helped loads to kill the pain, better than pain killers.

Trekster great pictures! Apart from the beer gut last one :D!

I did conveniently forget to mention in the OP weight watchers is on the cards as a training option. :lol:

forge was out with Trekster on long ride (for me) up the local hills, I would say that is is far closer to what keilder might be like, didnt realise what options were available locally.

I'd be up for some more of those long ones, it would have to be a saturday first thing, up over the hills, hike a bike, bike climbs and big descents. John knows his stuff so im sure plenty route advice available, but as said above I will be doing it to get fit with Kelider 100 as a bonus, so happy to hook up if you fancy?

OS map and a loop of Grizedale – Parkamoor etc. There is a good guidebook out on Lake routes, sorry forget name

Well done mikeactually for digging in and getting to the end, you look like a bit of a whippet mind :wink: raddogair that is an awesome training regime 8O

For me what the mental trouble is:

If it was 100km, I would be thinking that its doeable.

If it was 100 road miles I would think its doeable.

If was time unlimited I would dig in and drag my sorry "ss to the end.

But 100 miles, with the cutoffs, off road is a big ask.

I will keep it in the diary but I am stopping worrying about it and get a bit fitter and see how far I get.

cheers

'kin eck tony that is a classic, sounds great.

i can ride allday long, but to have to ride at the speed to make the cutoffs is a differant kettle of kippers…….

Know what you mean, hence its begining to bug me that the training/ speed development is not happening, so whats the point of worrying about it, just ride the bike I say.

Btw whereabouts you doing your Scottish epic?

stewart, i am out already.
a week offroad in scotland with the lad's is far more appealing

Tony mate, and I thought the 18st+ club were going to block the start! :lol:

Scott Scale? Fuji MT pro?

Another plus one for doublewood if you like Glenmorangie.

You might want to try some of the older Maccallan's if you prefer them smoother.

We are starting from Wamphray on Tues. IanM is coming with us. Parking at his house with a slight change to route

I will follow the leader! Who's Ian M again?

Love my Soul!

So do I :wink:

Dublin soul

Hey Scotabroad, hope the bike shopping is going well, have you made a decision yet? How you getting on with the skills?

Hi Clive – I reckon the Genesis Core 50 has it, gets good reviews, pretty good ride from what you can tell from round a car park and along a path, and pretty well specced, and light as well. Not too keen on the purple colour but what the hey, just waiting on my voucher now. Skills coming along, still can't wheelie for sh##!! :wink:

What is it that you lot don't get about this….?

ho hum :roll:

Mabie red.

Dalbeattie or KT blue

Drumlanrig easy routes

Mabie and Ae Blues are very easy, more for smaller kids

Newcastleton is a bit of a drive but pretty easy technically and about an hour or so for a fit person

Anyone?

Nowt wrong with golf, play it myself sometimes.

As for the some of the people that play it thats a different matter, but you get that in any sport.

Ive got u-turn coil revs on my hardtail, and air revs on my full suss, both QR and i think they are superb forks. I'm 18st + and dont feel much in the way of felx from them.

Your rubbing it in now :wink:

I dunno you try and help….

Tony – might be heading up to Torridon for long weekend first weekend in May if I can get a cottage I have use in the past if you are interested. Bit of walking as well as biking.

Anyone?

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Manchester [All Stations] to Mallaig [MLG] – Friday 28 May 2010
Departing Arriving Duration Changes
23:23 13:35 14h 12m 2

23:23 Manchester Victoria [MCV] 4 Preston (Lancs) [PRE]
00:17

00:52 Preston (Lancs) [PRE] 4 Dalmuir [DMR]
06:03

08:42 Dalmuir [DMR] 1 Mallaig [MLG]
13:35

It doesnt look a very pleasant journey??